EARLHAM, Iowa (DTN) -- Providing a place for all patriots to have a purpose and an atmosphere of learning is what the Patriot Ranch is focused to do.

Located in rural Dallas County, Iowa, the organization was established by an Iowa farm boy, Kurt Krumm, who has served in the Iowa National Guard since 2008. He has served in several different roles and was deployed to Afghanistan in 2016 and 2017. Currently, he is working in the state logistics office at the rank of Major. Krumm saw a need for a place for patriots of all kinds -- current and former miliary and first responders -- to be able to help with projects and find purpose.

"All through the process of removing trees and getting this place ready I would ask myself if this was worth it," said Krumm. "And then I'd get a call from someone asking about it. I truly believe we can touch some lives out here."

The Patriot Ranch is a non-profit organization that will be a place for fellowship, training and purpose. He said the farm connected to the organization is called Bumper Hill Farm, which is a working farm raising organic elderberries. Elderberries are a healthy food, and the local aspect is helping the cause as well. Krumm said the elderberries will help fund the Patriot Ranch and he will be able to source some good help through his extended family who has been raising the crop for many years. "For now, we will be sending our berries to Elder Farms for processing, but we hope to have enough production in the future to do in-house processing," he said.

There is a lot planned for Patriot Ranch. Currently, they are hosting a mechanic club every Wednesday to work on vehicles for those in need. They are completely renovating a Tahoe that was donated in hopes of giving it to a family who needs a vehicle. Krumm remembers when he was first in the National Guard and many of his fellow soldiers were driving vehicles that barely got them from one place to the next. The mechanic club hopes to help many get their vehicles running properly.

"We plan to have a Friendsgiving potluck for those who don't have family near for Thanksgiving," he said. "We are also planning a movie night in the next couple months."

The Patriot Ranch is driven by fundraising and volunteers. Those who are willing to be committed to the cause and donate time to help others.

"The bond you have with other veterans and first responders will be enriched here," Krumm said. "We will help them find a purpose they may be looking for. It's important to find your people."

For more information, visit Patriot Ranch on Facebook or at www.patriotranch.org.

Jennifer Carrico can be reached at jennifer.carrico@dtn.com

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